Code Enforcement

The Code Enforcement Office responds to complaints of possible code violations. Code Enforcement also ensures City code regulations are obtained and compliance is maintained. City staff also educates the public on City standards and regulations for citywide improvement and beautification. If you have questions or concerns please contact Codes Enforcement Supervisor, Kevin Messick at (913) 742-6274.

My neighbors will not cut their grass?

All residentially zoned yards less than 5 acres in size must be cut so that the height of the grass is less than 8” high and all noxious weeds are eliminated. For all vacant lots less than 5 acres in size, the height of the grass must be less than 10” in height. If the property is 5 + acres in size, there is a 30’ perimeter requirement in which the property must be cut less than 8” in height unless property is vacant in which it must be cut less than 10” in height.

Those areas of vacant lots within 30’ of the paved street or adjacent properties must have the grass trim cut around obstructions such as utility poles, mailboxes, or trees. The City will notify persons not complying with regulations of the need to mow their property. If the property is not mowed, the City will see that the property is mowed and bill the violator for the cost of mowing plus an additional $70 administration fee.

The Shawnee Municipal Code prohibits anyone from depositing debris or yard waste of any kind into the street, or curb and gutter. Grass clippings that are discharged by lawn mowers or dumped onto the street, curb or gutter, or in creeks or streams, stop up storm drains and prohibit optimum flow. Mowers should discharge grass back into the yard not onto the streets. During hard rains, blocked storm drains back up water into the street causing flooding of streets and property. In addition, yard waste dumped into our streams and ponds can cause increased natural bacteria growth (blue-green algae) which can release toxins that can be harmful if ingested by humans and pets. Increased bacteria growth also uses oxygen in the water that can cause fish to die. If you see this kind of dumping, please notify the Public Works Department at 742-6230.

Tree Limbs Overhanging Streets and Sidewalks

Shawnee has a “clear zone” for the safe passage of vehicles along the streets, and for pedestrians on sidewalks. Adjacent property owners are responsible for keeping the trees that adjoin their property trimmed so that the clear zones are maintained. Property owners that have medians or landscape islands with trees that are adjacent to their properties have a shared responsibility with their neighbors for maintaining the clear zone.
The street “clear zone” is shown above as a rectangular area 12’ tall above the residential street surface and the width of the street plus 1’ behind the curb on either side. The clear zone height is 14’ for busier non-residential streets (classified as arterial or collector streets).The sidewalk “clear zone” is 7’ tall above the sidewalk and the width of the sidewalk plus 1’ on either side.